IC INBOX

[lichtregen]

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November 6th - Any time after noon

[leekspins]

[There's a neat square box left on Ishida's doorstep. If the weather was bad, it's been secured protectively in a double layer of plastic bags so it won't get wet. Inside the box is a mini six-inch cake of chocolate layers and mint mousse, the outside frosted white and trimmed with blue piped icing in the form of a Quincy cross. 'Happy Birthday Ishida-kun' is written in English with darker blue frosting letters.]

[It should be obvious who it's from. And if it isn't, the note slipped into the cake box should make it crystal clear.]

'I knocked but you weren't home. Sorry! I didn't know your work schedule, and I was on a lunch break so I couldn't stay. But if you want to do something for your birthday I'll make some time for you!

Your Friend,
Inoue'

voice;

[lichtregen]

[he knew who it was from the moment he laid his eyes on it. no one else here would know his birthday, he wasn't about to publicly announce it or anything, so that left only orihime. he didn't particularly care for parties, or for people, so he hadn't wanted anything for it, really. however, receiving a gift like this from orihime was definitely the best present he could have got.

he read the note, smiled to himself, before bringing the present inside.

once he was settled he picked up his device to call her.]

Thank you so much for the present, Inoue-san. [was what he said once she picked up.]

voice;

[leekspins]

Oh, you're home! I'm glad you got it.

[She really didn't think anyone would steal a cake box left at someone's door, but who knows? There might be a roaming cake lover just waiting for that kind of golden opportunity.]

I hope chocolate and mint is okay! If it isn't, I can make you a different kind.

voice;

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No no, this flavor is completely fine.

[hrm.... there really wasn't anyone he wanted to spend his birthday with, except for orihime.]

I can't eat this all on my own so... did you want some?

voice;

[leekspins]

Ack! It was too big after all!

[...Probably not the reaction he was expecting, but come on. She's dense about this sort of thing, he'll learn that eventually.]

Cake freezes really well, so if you want to save it for later, just wrap it up in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. Then you can thaw it out when you're ready for more!

voice; 1/2

[lichtregen]

[........ORIHEEM!!!]

voice;

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I just meant-... I mean I....

[okay. he's about to accept defeat here.]

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

voice;

[leekspins]

[This poor guy. Why does he even like her.]

You're welcome!

[He sounds a little flustered. She wonders why. Maybe she'll figure it out if she keeps talking to him.]

Did you do anything fun to treat yourself?

voice;

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No. It's not like we're kids anymore, I don't really need to.

[he says this as he quietly cuts himself a piece of the cake.]

voice;

[leekspins]

Oh... I guess I shouldn't get so excited over my birthday either. Ishida-kun is very mature.

[Is it a scolding? It kind of feels like one. But she's pretty sure he doesn't mean anything harsh by it.]

Not even a special birthday dinner with your favorite food?

voice;

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You can get excited over your birthday, that's not what I meant.

[oh my god this is going horribly.]

I've never really done anything like that.

voice;

[leekspins]

What?! NEVER?!?!?!

[There's a loud banging sound in the background. She's...probably still in the bakery, let's be real.]

If you didn't do anything fun as a kid, then you should do twice as many fun things now to make up for it! You only get one birthday a year! One chance to do everything you've ever wanted without worrying about the consequences or the bills! If you don't do it now, you don't do it ever, so you have to make it amazing. Life's too short, Ishida-kun!

[And that's not just a trite phrase for her; knowing that their lives do end, sometimes abruptly and soon, is a big part of what drives her to live so vividly.]

voice;

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[ishida has to hold his device away from him when she starts to clash around. he sighs. wow this girl...]

Is that so? [he still doesn't think of his birthday as a big deal.]

I was usually by myself on my birthdays so I don't think of it as something that needs to be celebrated fully. Can't we just eat some cake together and that's good enough?

[oh. OH! he said, oh wow, he said it. ishida immediately felt himself redden at that, waiting for her answer.]

voice;

[leekspins]

[No reaction to the dramatic and completely intentional dropping of a muffin tin to showcase her shock for comedic effect? She needs to work harder on her prop humor. Still, she's surprised to find that his needs are so simple.]

That's really all you want?

[He could ask for anything and she'd give it to him without hesitation, especially on his birthday of all days. At least he expressed himself plainly enough that even she can't mistake it for something else.]

Well...did you already eat dinner?

voice;

[lichtregen]

[That's really all I want, to spend time with you

is what he wished he could say. instead he just remained silent as he listened to her sort out his words. at her question he tapped the counter in front of him.]

Not yet.

voice;

[leekspins]

Why don't I pick something up on my way over, then? I can eat cake on an empty stomach and be satisfied, but I've had years of training. You'll probably want something more substantial!

[From 12 on up, there wasn't really anyone there to tell her that she shouldn't eat cake or sweet bean paste on bread for a meal. Even if they did, why shouldn't she do it anyway? But for most other people, she knows it might make them pretty sick, and that's not what she wants for him.]

What do you want to eat?

voice;

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[okay well it appeared as though everything was working in his favor. bonus! ishida smiled to himself, despite feeling overly embarrassed for blurting out his true desires.]

Whatever you- [wait no, she would pick up something really weird. he cleared his throat.]

Something easy. Sukiyaki, maybe?

voice;

[leekspins]

[It's only weird if Orihime cooks it. ...Which she might end up doing if he's requesting sukiyaki. Happy birthday, sucker!]

That sounds good! I haven't had sukiyaki in a long time. Should I get it from a restaurant, or do you want ingredients to make it ourselves?

voice;

[lichtregen]

We can always make it together.

[yes, this sounds nice! what a lovely birthday for him.]

And please Inoue-san, pick up regular ingredients. [pls]

voice;

[leekspins]

Ha ha! I guess even you know about my cooking habits.. Text me a list of your favorites, the store isn't too far from the bakery. Eeto...I'll need soy sauce and mirin, and eggs... Do you have a pot yet?

voice;

[lichtregen]

Ah, yes I have one.

[don't worry orihime he's very prepared.]

voice;

[leekspins]

Okay, I'll trust that part to you. Let me finish my prep batches and I'll be right over in about an hour!

[It turns out to be a little longer since she went upstairs to wash her face and change her clothes before setting out, but she does eventually show up on his doorstep with a bag of groceries. She didn't just go for what's on sale, either, her new job pays so much more money than she's used to having. Plus her 'rent' is part of the bakery itself! Orihime can afford to splurge on good beef and tofu for the pot, especially for the one friend from home she has in this place. She knocks.]

[OOC: Unless you wanted to handwave this part!]

[Video]

[leekspins]

[She's had to do a lot of soul-searching since February. And she's a little ashamed that it's taken her so long...more ashamed that she didn't even realize it's been so long. But she can't keep being ashamed. It's not helping anything, and her friend deserves better.]

[So, Orihime has steeled herself. She doesn't want to be a coward, and if she's ever going to be dependable, she has to put her guilt aside and be better.]

Ishida-kun, are you there? Could we meet somewhere to talk when you have some free time?

[Video]

[lichtregen]

Ah, Inoue-san.

[he hadn't been expecting a call from her! truthfully he had been a rather large recluse lately, hardly ever leaving his apartment. he didn't have many friends here and he needed to get better with that. even so, seeing orihime was always a wonderful treat.]

Of course! I'm ready whenever. Where should we meet?

[Video]

[leekspins]

[...OH NO! Is it better in private, or somewhere a little more public, like at the park? She looks momentarily alarmed before her gaze drops and her cheeks burn.]

Er...w-well, it's about the letter you left in my apartment, so maybe it would be better if you picked the best place to talk.

[She's still not sure if he left that letter on purpose or if he accidentally dropped it. No going back now.]

[Video] 1/2

[lichtregen]

[give him a moment here his brain just shut down. wait a minute, all this time she had known about his feelings, she had actually seen the letter?! he thought for sure he messed it up somehow and she didn't see since she never brought it up!!

and then ichigo was here and--... and...!!]

M-m-my letter?! You....!!

[Video]

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[he just put his face in his hands, sighing to himself.]

Let's just go to a cafe... [public was better yupyup. this was gonna be hard.]

[Video]

[leekspins]

[She knows this is probably embarrassing for him. She should have said something sooner!]

I'm sorry, Ishida-kun. I didn't know if you left it there on purpose or on accident, it was kind of hard to see. So I wasn't sure if I should pretend I hadn't read it to save you from embarrassment, or if I should talk to you...

...It's only recently I made up my mind about it.

[He can probably guess why. Ichigo isn't here anymore. She wouldn't want to lose Ishida too and lose the chance of getting closer to him just because she was too shy or nervous or uneasy. It could happen to him, like it happened to Kurosaki, and Shinjiro, and Dorothy, and several others she's come to like and lose.]

So...I'll meet you there in about twenty minutes?